Sexy Talk… It’s Not What You Think

Sex is an important part of intimate relationships. It’s also one of the most challenging areas to navigate when it comes to negotiating different needs and wants. It is common for one person to want sex more often or in different ways than their partner. People see sex differently. Sex may be very important and meet a variety of needs or sex may be less important and meet very few personal needs. How these differences play out between two people in a committed long-term relationship will affect every other aspect of their relationship. Approaching this sensitive subject can be difficult. And when a couple gets stuck or gives up on creating a satisfying sex life, frustration and disconnect ensues. So how does a couple approach sexual issues in their relationship? While it may sound cliché, the remedy begins with talk and ends with touch. Here are my 10 basic rules for addressing sexual issues.

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6 Steps to Settling Angry Outbursts

Debbie came to me complaining that her husband would lash out in anger without warning and she felt like she was no longer able to cope. She told me that she finds herself walking on egg shells, hoping that her next move will not trigger another meltdown. And while these outbursts did not happen every day or even every week, when they did, they caught her off guard and left her feeling devastated. She told me that her husband was a good man and would eventually apologize for his words—an apology that at this point holds little regard. Debbie doesn’t know what to do. She feels her marriage is fairly good with the exception of her husband’s issue with anger and looked to me for help.

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5 Early Warning Signs for a Relationship in Trouble

I’ve seen it a thousand times. A couple comes to me in crisis. They have been struggling with issues for some time and believe their relationship is at its breaking point. They are in pain. They are full of anger, resentment, resignation, and anxiety. They are locked in a no win power struggle and can’t find their way back to each other. They come to me feeling desperate. They look to me as their last chance of saving the relationship. And sometimes, it’s simply too late. I share this seemingly dramatic depiction of a couple in crisis because I don’t want YOU to be that couple... Here are 5 signals that indicate your relationship is in trouble...

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How Does Fear Show Up in Your Relationships?

Fear can wreak havoc in your relationships. Most of us don’t identify our relationship difficulties as fear based. Instead, we assign blame for our relationship woes on such things as incompatibility, miscommunication, thoughtlessness, disrespect, controlling behaviors, cheating, insecurities, or simply bad timing. And while these issues are very real and need to be addressed, I believe that at the core of most relationship challenges is fear... Here are some things you can do to prevent your fear from wreaking havoc in your relationships...

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6 Strategies to Alleviate the Effects of Money Problems on Your Relationship

Let’s face it—most people are feeling the effects of the economy. It might be as simple as your dollars don’t stretch as far as they did before or as severe as you or your spouse has been out of work for over a year. You might be arguing with your spouse over small purchases, or impulsively making big, unnecessary purchases to help alleviate your stress. You might be struggling with downsizing your lifestyle or feel embarrassed to let others know how much you’re financially stressed. There are real problems and challenges out there and if your marriage or relationship is affected by money or the lack thereof, then this article is for you. Here are 6 coping strategies to help alleviate the strain on your relationship.

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